The 31-year-old defender has played 208 games and was an All-Australian in 2009, leading his side to a flag the following season.

Advertisement

Maxwell captained the Magpies from 2007 to 2013 and played 10 games this season under new skipper Scott Pendlebury.

Maxwell suspected after Sunday's 64-point loss to Essendon that he would have a big decision to make, and found out after having his injured ankle scanned that he had suffered three types of ligament damage and torn the membrane between his tibia and fibula bones.

He said he felt relieved when the specialist told him he would not play again this season, with the thought of facing another battle to get fit and back in the team almost too much.

"I didn't know this would be my last year and obviously I didn't expect it to end like this, but after injuring my ankle on the weekend I found out it was probably going to be a 10 week injury, which obviously was going to be the season," Maxwell said.

"Looking at where I was as a player and knowing what was ahead I knew I had nothing left. I feel like I've given everything I had - every training session, every game - and my body's had enough, so that's it."

Coach Nathan Buckley, who hand picked Maxwell to wear the club's famous No. 5 guernsey upon his own retirement, said one of the former skipper's outstanding qualities was the care he showed for others.

"Whatever he throws his weight behind something he gives everything he's got, with his heart and soul and body, in this case," Buckley said.

"We're the beneficiaries of that."

The former Magpies premiership skipper seriously injured his ankle in Sunday's heavy loss to Essendon at the MCG.

The loss to the Bombers was Maxwell's first senior game back since round 11 after recovering from a calf injury. Maxwell appeared to be downbeat when he fulfilled his media work on Monday.

Maxwell's retirement is a major loss for a defence that has struggled in recent weeks.

North Melbourne coach Brad Scott was quick to praise Maxwell's contribution to the game.

"He's been an outstanding leader," Scott said. "He's a great example to a lot of players who show the ultimate professionalism, fantastic leadership.

"He was absolutely exemplary the way he led Collingwood when I was an assistant coach there. I saw him, first-hand, really take control of that group.

"Nick would be the first to say he's not necessarily Collingwood's best player of the past decade, but you can put a fair argument up that he's been their best leader."

Former West Coast Eagles premiership player Karl Langdon, now a radio commentator in Perth, tweeted on Tuesday night that Maxwell would retire.

"I believe Collingwood's Nick Maxwell with retire tomorrow. Well done on your career. Not a star but had a crack," he said.

The 31-year-old has played 208 senior games since his 2004 debut and captained Collingwood’s 2010 premiership team. He was runner-up in Collingwood's best and fairest count in 2009, when he was named All-Australian. He was named Collingwood's best finals player in 2009 and 2010 (shared) and was the Darren Millane Memorial Trophy as best clubman three times.

He was originally selected with pick 15 of the 2003 rookie draft, having been passed over at several national drafts. Collingwood great Nathan Buckley anointed him a future leader when he retired, and urged the club to give Maxwell his famous number five guernsey. He went on to captain the Magpies in more than 100 games.

His media conference comes a day after St Kilda star Lenny Hayes announced he would retire at the end of the season.

West Coast captain Darren Glass and Brisbane great Jonathan Brown are other big names who have retired in the last few weeks. Former Carlton captain Chris Judd is reserving his decision about his playing future until the end of the season.

With Jesse Hogan and AAP

16 comments

Most mediocre player ever to reach 200 games

Commenter

Robbie

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 3:05PM

I'm sure their fans will fondly reminisce about his cheap shots off the ball

Commenter

Bilbo Piggins

Location

Melbourne

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 3:29PM

Tough day at the office Robbie, or don't you get to watch many games? Maxwell's acts of courage resulted in many wins for Collingwood including a Grand Final - remember that one?

Commenter

Mr Taff

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 3:38PM

How many AFL appearances did you make Robbie? Maybe you should give it a crack as your comment is in the category you place Maxwell! There again you maybe a champion of one liners?

Commenter

How

Location

Many

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 4:16PM

Watch most weekend games Mr.T... I know a hack when I see them

Commenter

robbie

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 5:20PM

Not a Collingwood supporter but Maxwell has been a rock most of the time for the Pies. They will miss him.

Commenter

Dale

Location

NSW

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 3:22PM

He's someone to admire, and someone who gave it all he had.

Commenter

russ

Location

melb

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 3:23PM

A far better leader than his predecessor, sorry for repeating Brad Scott.Well done Nick, you made the best of what you had, great leadership qualities.Congratulations on your on field achievements, good luck with your future off field.I think you would be a great coach, should you choose.

Commenter

Honest Joe

Location

Battlefield

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 3:25PM

Not a Collingwood supporter and didn't particularly like his on field performance but I do like him as a commentator. Gives good insight into the game. No doubt a media career beckons. Good luck to him whatever he does.

Commenter

Catherine

Date and time

July 16, 2014, 3:32PM

As a commentator, he is bland, average and rides on others coat tails. Similar to his career. So he would fit in well sitting next to Mr.Wonderful Tom Harley at channel Brucey.